The Seward City Council voted unanimously to approve an emergency ordinance that requires facial coverings and additional social distancing restrictions to preserve public health and safety. Seward now joins Anchorage in implementing a city wide face covering requirement.
According to the ordinance; all individuals in Seward must wear a mask or covering over their nose and mouth in buildings open to the public when they cannot maintain six feet of space between themselves and individuals outside their household. Individuals four and under, individuals with trouble breathing, and individuals with a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a covering over their nose and mouth are exempt from this regulation. Facial coverings need not be worn when:
1. Individuals are alone or only with members of their household;
2. Individuals are eating or drinking in compliance with State of Alaska public health mandates. However, facial coverings must be worn in public establishments when not actively eating or drinking; or
3. Individuals are receiving lawful services that cannot be adequately performed while the recipient is wearing a facial covering.
For those looking to camp in Seward city limits, all city-owned campgrounds shall be not more than 50% capacity for recreational camping purposes. The City will not take additional reservations over 50% capacity. City-owned campgrounds may remain open for use by Seward area workers and employees.
All in-person gatherings of 20 or more individuals are prohibited within the City of Seward. This excludes gatherings governed by Council Emergency Regulation No. 5 and gatherings for the purpose of exercising Constitutional rights.
All eating and drinking establishments, including restaurants, bars, ice cream and specialty food shops, all retail stores, all tours, including sightseeing and ecotourism operations, and all places of worship, shall limit indoor seating capacity to ten (10) people, or no more than 50% of maximum capacity, whichever is greater.
The ordinance shall remain in effect for thirty (30) days or until the declaration of emergency regarding COVID-19 expires without renewal.
